For my last Music Discovery Live event of 2015 I shall be teaming up with pianist brothers Daniel and Joseph Tong, plus violinist Sara Trickey, for three concerts in the Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building, St Hilda’s College. The first concert will be devoted to music composed during the First World War, ranging from the Janáček’s searing Violin Sonata to the nostalgia of Ravel and Elgar. En route we take in the Parisian chic of the teenaged Poulenc, Sibelius in contemplation of nature, and evocative tone poems by Rachmaninov.

The lunchtime and evening concerts on the Thursday will combine violin sonatas and music for piano solo and duet by Mozart and Schubert, including Mozart’s magnificent F major duo sonata – one of the best-kept secrets among his piano works – and two contrasting masterpieces by Schubert: the barnstorming ‘Wanderer’ Fantasy, and the poignant F minor Fantasy for piano duet, a quintessential work of his final year.

As usual, discussion and analysis of the music, with the players providing additional illumination and instant demonstration, will be complemented by biographical and cultural background. Some of you will remember Dan and Joe’s torrential performance of The Rite of Spring in the Du Pre in February 2013.

As on my previous Oxford events, I  have reserved rooms in the Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel, 73 High Street, Oxford , OX1 4BE (01865 248332), an attractive 3-star hotel in the city centre, close to Magdalen College. The Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building, situated in St Hilda’s College, off Cowley Place, is a pleasant 10-12-minute walk over Magdalen Bridge. There is ample car parking at the hotel, at a charge of £15 per day. If you’re hovering, you may prefer to travel by train.

The plan for the two days, in outline, is as follows:

1.45-2            Arrival at the Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel, 73

                      High Street, Oxford , OX1 4BE (01865 248332)

3-5                Study session in the Du Pre Building, with coffee break

7.00               Concert in the Du Pre:

                      Janáček Violin Sonata

                      Sibelius ‘The Trees’ Op 75

                      Ravel La Valse (piano duet)

                      Poulenc Sonata for piano duo

                      Rachmaninov extracts from Etudes Tableaux

                      Elgar Violin Sonata in E minor

8.40               Dinner in St Hilda’s College (3 courses, including wine)

10.45-1.00     Study session in the Du Pre, with coffee break.

1.15                Concert in the Du Pre:

                       Schubert Violin Sonata in A, D574

                       Mozart Piano Duo Sonata in F, K497 (ends c2.00)

7.00              Concert in the Du Pre:

                     Schubert Variations in A flat for piano duet, D813

                     Mozart Violin Sonata in E minor, K304

                     Schubert ‘Wanderer’ Fantasy, D760

                     Mozart Violin Sonata in E flat, K481

                     Schubert Fantasy in F minor, D940 (piano duet)
                    

8.45              Dinner in St Hilda’s College (3 courses, including wine)